Posted on 12 May 2007, at 10:36 pm, by Doug Goldring
I think one of the most underutilized features on many devices (aside from Bluetooth) has to be SMS text messaging. This is an incredibly powerful tool, which simply sits by the wayside for many mobile users. I’ll be honest, I use text messaging to get baseball scores sent to my phone, so that I will be notified the exact second the Washington Nationals lose another game (watch out ‘62 Mets, we’re coming for you).
Now, there is a new service called Mosio which has set out to change all of that. Mosio describes itself as a “mobile social network”. The idea behind it is to provide an quick and easy way to obtain information in an instant utilizing the existing text messaging features on your cell phone or mobile device. Simply text your question to the service, and a QnAgent will respond (typically within seconds). You can ask for directions, a recomendation for a resturaunt or movie, just about anything.
In additon to asking questions of the QnAgents, you can also use it to search for information, create widgets, even subscribe to Textcasts, which are helpful information, jokes, and other tidbits, sent directly to your SMS inbox.
To learn more about the Mosio service, check it out, here.
Mosio costs $3.95 per month, however, Just Another Mobile Monday is currently giving away one year subscriptions. To find out how to win one, just click here. Hurry, contest ends soon.
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May 13th, 2007 at 12:35 am
I use SMS all the time. In addition to the 50 or so emails a month that I send from my phone, I also send around 100-150 SMSes every month. It seems to be a lot more popular here and in Europe than the USA.
May 13th, 2007 at 5:22 am
I agree with Mithcell – SMS is huge in Asia, to the point that voice and email are almost afterthoughts.
May 13th, 2007 at 6:55 am
I have heard that before, guys. I think the reason (or at least part of it) is the way most cell phone providers work SMS into the plan. It is almost never unlimited and it is usually an additional cost on an already pricey plan.
Sounds like Mosio would work well for you guys. Head over to JAMM and enter the contest.
Doug
May 13th, 2007 at 7:32 am
I just checked my provider’s available rate plans – none of them put a limit on SMS; it’s all pay-as-you-go and the per SMS cost is just one-third the price of a per minute voice call. IIANM that’s pretty much the case with the other carriers in my country (Malaysia), and gives a huge incentive for people here to prefer text messaging. I guess the price structure in the US does just the opposite.
May 13th, 2007 at 7:35 am
There is a similar service to this over here in Australia. I use Google
Gotta love a nice 1GB data plan!!!
May 13th, 2007 at 7:43 am
Yeah, here in the US, things are getting better, but SMS messaging is still an extra cost over the normal plan, which is alresdy very pricey. Like I said, though, it is becoming more common now so the prices are starting to come down.
Doug
May 13th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I pay $20/month with Sprint to get unlimited SMS for the phones on my family plan. This came after Sarah ran up almost $200 in charges one month by doing approximately 1000 more SMS than the plan gave for free! Talk about a heart attack…but she paid it.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
WOW. 1,000 more SMS? I can’t imagine sending that many texts. I’m glad you got the unlimited now.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I think that’s all the kids do all day at school anymore…text each other!
May 14th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Man. When I was in school, we were so old fashioned. We had to use a pencil and paper…and pass the note across three rows of kids and hope not to get intercepoted by the teacher. I remember thinking I was so clever fro writing a note on the inside of a gun wrapper so theteacher wouljdn’t catch on.
Text messaging just kills of the challenge.
Doug
May 14th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Not at all, Doug. The challenge now is to T9 without looking – as the phone is usually in a hoody pocket. It takes just a second to glance at an incoming text or to approve an outgoing. It’s the actual composing that must be done on the down-low; therein lies the challenge.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
You must not have seen JKOnTheRUN’s post about blogging during a meeting.
very funny,
Doug
May 14th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I’ll have to check it out!